How to Care for Children with Special Needs During Emergencies

By
Goldstein & Hayes, P.C.
|November 03, 2014

An emergency can strike at any time. Various natural disasters and sickness
can eliminate your access to proper health care, putting your child at
risk. This is especially true for children who are limited by cerebral
palsy or similar conditions. You can help your special needs child endure
an emergency by preparing in advance for unexpected difficulty. With proper
measures in place, you will be prepared to weather the worst.

Build an Emergency Kit

One simple means of protecting your child is to build an effective emergency
kit. In the event that you are not able to leave the house, a well-planned
kit can keep you safe until you can receive proper aid.

Your emergency kit should contain the following:

Water: Plan for one gallon per person for three days.

Food: Pack plenty of canned foods and other nonperishables.

First Aid: You should always have a first aid kit close at hand.

Medicine: Keep a week's worth of medication, in addition to supplies and paperwork.

Electrical: Flashlights, cell phones, radios, and batteries/charges are likely to
come in handy.

Other: Include a blanket, games, baby supplies, and other essentials.

Ideally, you should have access to an emergency kit at home, at work, in
the car, and anywhere else you are likely to be during an emergency. This
will minimize your risk of being stranded without the medication or supplies
your child needs.

Establish a Contact List

Another way to prepare for an emergency is to gather several contacts you
may need under harsh conditions. In addition to family and friends, you
should be sure to keep the names and numbers of several services that
can provide much-needed transportation. Register with emergency services
and other groups to discover how they can help in an emergency. Finally,
services including Paratransit and various independent living centers
may be vital to helping you endure an emergency.

Goldstein & Hayes, P.C. is a Georgia law firm dedicated to helping
families of children with birth defects. Visit our site to learn more.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.